Maori Tribal Tattoo

by Glenna Garcia on May 22, 2011

This tattoo of a face looks to me like a Maori Tattoo, in the New Zealand tradition. Of course, traditional Ta Moko or Maori tattoos, could also be found tattooed onto the individual;s face and not just an image of a face. Ta Moko was a history of that particular person’s achievements as well as showing their status in the tribe. It was seen as a huge honour for people to have and display Ta Moko and it was worn by men as well as the women. Those of higher rank were allowed to have the markings on their faces. This tattoo is a bit of the best of both worlds. It shows a face…without the added pain of actually being on their face! Great symmetry and line work make this a very solid tattoo choice.